Two incumbents, city Councilwoman Marsha McLean and Mayor Laurene Weste, have also pulled papers to run for re-election, according to information from the City Clerk’s office.

Pulling papers does not necessarily mean someone will run for council, as he or she would still have to fill out the proper paperwork and prove eligibility to run for office.

However, many of those who have pulled papers have previously confirmed to The Signal that they intend to seek office in 2014.

Those who wish to officially launch a council bid must collect signatures from at least 20 eligible and registered voters in the city, complete the necessary paperwork and return it to the City Clerk’s office by Jan. 10, according to Interim City Clerk Armine Chaparyan.

Three seats are up for grabs during the City Council election, which will be held April 8. A third incumbent, Councilman Frank Ferry, has told The Signal he does not plan to run for another term, leaving vacant a seat he has held since 1998.

Ferry’s decision may have contributed to the high number of potential candidates, as it presents the rare occurrence of an open seat on the City Council.

This year’s election cycle kicked off almost a year ago when Mercado-Fortine announced her candidacy in late January — 14 months before election day.

Those elected in April will join council members TimBen Boydston and Bob Kellar at the dais in City Hall.